Integrated engineering specialist, Drake & Scull International (DSI) has reported US$11.4mn in net profit for the first quarter of 2010 and revenues of US$105mn.

An Iraqi official has said that negotiations between the Iraqi National Investment Commission (INIC) and several UAE real estate developers and investment companies on large-scale projects in different parts in Iraq have reached "advanced stages". Sami Al Araji, chairman of INIC told Gulf News the projects under negotiation are worth nearly US$70 billion and that the talks are expected to be finalised in the near future.

Syrian Minister of Housing and Construction, Omar Ibrahim Ghalawanji, has discussed ways of boosting cooperation relations and establishing joint ventures in the construction sector with an Algerian Contractors delegation, according to the Syrian State News Agency.

Nakheel has announced that it has secured settlement on 50 per cent of agreed claims with contractors and suppliers and other trade creditors, still short of the 65 per cent required. Nakheel officials met with senior members from the UAE Contactors Association recently as part of its efforts to ensure the settlement of claims to its trade creditors as part of its recapitalisation plan according to Gulf News.